Easy Holiday Meals When Travelling Part 2

Following on from last week's post,  here are more ideas for eating well while on holidays -

*  Meatloaf can be used many ways when at home or on holidays.  Take a frozen meatloaf with you wrapped in foil and a bread bag on the outside.  Once defrosted it's easily reheated in the microwave and served with steamed veg and mash.  If the weather is hot,  serve cold with salad and crusty bread.  Any leftovers make fantastic toasted sandwiches in a press or under the grill.  Just crumble the meatloaf,  spread it over buttered bread and add a good squeeze of tomato or bbq sauce.

*  Chicken curry can be served on toast for a quick and easy meal.  If you like it with rice,  then portion the dry rice into a snap lock bag to take on your trip.  I've been known to take an icecream  container of frozen chicken curry away with us.  It travels well and acts as an ice brick in our cooler bag..

*  Do you have any leftover sausages from a holiday bbq ?  Cut them up,  add a tin of tomatoes,  a packet of French onion soup mix and any veggies you have on hand.  This is great meal for cleaning out the fridge before you come home from your holiday.

*  Simmer sauces are not something I usually use but they can make super easy meals.  Add a handful of fresh beans and a diced carrot to the meat and sauce.  Serve with rice or mash.

*  A piece of cooked corned silverside can be used many ways.  Slice it thinly to go with a salad on hot days.  Slice it thickly and serve it hot with steamed veggies.  Cube the silverside to make corn fritters.  Just pack a tin of corn kernels  and a snap lock bag of flour and seasonings.

Do you take main meals or seasonings with you on holidays ?

Free School Holiday Ideas

School holiday are just around the corner and I'm sure you are wondering how you'll keep the kids entertained.  Winter holidays can be challenging when the weather prevents too much outdoor activity.  Here are some ideas that won't harm the family budget -

*  Visit your local library to borrow dvds and books.  If they are offering holiday activities you might need to book in advance to secure a spot.

*  Have a few friends over and hold movie party.  Organise a theme and have the kids dress up.  It could be a color theme or something to do with the movies they'll watch. Cook a bowl of pop corn ( kernels cost under $2 to buy if you don't have them ).  Ask the kids to bring a snack.

*  Get your kids in the kitchen to do some baking.  This is a fantastic opportunity to make lots of school snacks to freeze for next term.  Of course they can eat as they bake.  Muffins and biscuits are easy to make.  Freeze extra muffins and biscuit dough for future use.  Have a try of these recipes

Chocolate choc chip muffins  http://myabundantlife07.blogspot.com.au/2014/09/lunchbox-chocolate-choc-chip-muffins.html

Peanut butter choc chip biscuits http://myabundantlife07.blogspot.com.au/2015/06/peanut-butter-choc-chip-biscuits.html

*  Plant a pot of lettuce seeds,  grow a carrot top,  or dig in your garden shed for other veggie / flower seeds.  Eggs cartons,  ice cream containers,  old shoes,  tins,  buckets,  guttering,  eskys ( coolers ) and newspaper pots are all free and wonderful for starting a mini garden.

*  Dig out the Lego and build a town.

*  A change is as good as a holiday.  Rearrange your children's bedroom and ask them to help.  Update the pictures on the wall with free images on the internet or from an old book.  While you're at it,  sort out a drawer or two.  Ask your child what don't fit any more and pass them down to their sibling or donate.

*  Visit an op shop.  If your kids get pocket money,  make sure they bring it with them. They might find a toy they've been wanting or a dvd,  craft item or book.

*  Hold a board game day with competitions and prizes.  If you have a present cupboard I'm sure you'll find a few little bits and pieces to give as prizes.

*  Make a craft.  Have a look on Pinterest and gather supplies from around the home.  Makes some cards,  gift tags,  book marks or something to frame.  Do you have any old fridge magnets advertising a business you don't need ?  Use this as the base and the kids could stick a craft to it.

*  Visit Grandma,  Grandpa or an Auntie if they are local.  If not,  visit a friend who has kids.  Bring a snack to share. 

Lego and Duplo

Making gift tags

Making cards with ribbon and wrapping paper pictures

Muffins for lunchbox snacks.